Retired cop builds robot from household appliances

The former officer has spent the last four years perfecting the humanoid robot - and he's not done

By PoliceOne Staff

It's not quite Robocop — but a former Baltimore officer has spent the past four years building a robot made up of assorted household appliances.

Mark Haywood was inspired by Honda’s ASIMO and Drexel University’s HUBO robots when he began putting together his own robot, HEX, which now stands 4 feet 3 inches tall, and is controlled with a remote by using his laptop, according to DamnGeeky.com.

HEX’s legs are made from speakers, his waist is a DVD player, and his shoulders are derived from electric fans. Power tools, riding toys, a kitchen fryer, and even an old radio clock complete the bot.

“Frankly, I think of it as a very large toy. I think that mindset helped me get the build done, because it’s such a daunting task,” Haygood said.

HEX can walk, unsupported, but is not completely stable. But his hands and legs are fully functional, and can maneuver 23 degrees, according to Inspyme.

“I really enjoyed being a cop … I wanted to go out and lock up the bad guys and that’s what I did. But policing completely takes over your life. That’s one of the reasons I got out,” Haywood said, who retired in 2006 after serving the Baltimore Police for more than 20 years.